Clamp

ABSTRACT

A clamp includes a clamp body having a spring arm with first and second ends and a deflection arm with first and second ends. The deflection arm is connected at its first end to the spring arm proximate the first end thereof, and the second end of the deflection arm is opposed spatially to a protrusion extending from the spring arm proximate the second end thereof. An actuating device engaged with the deflection arm and the protrusion can be manipulated to effect relative movement of the second end of the deflection arm away from the protrusion to cause a corresponding circumferential contraction of the spring arm. The actuating device includes a force-limiting mechanism, which limits the extent by which the second end of the deflection arm is moved away from the protrusion, thereby limiting the maximum circumferential contraction of the spring arm that can be achieved. A syringe pump assembly includes a syringe pump with a mechanized syringe and a clamp, as describe above, attached to the syringe to prevent vibration-induced rotation of the syringe.

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Serial No. 60/406,686 filed Aug. 29, 2002, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention pertains to a clamp having a built-in loadlimitation mechanism and comprising a clamp body and an actuatingdevice, constructed and arranged so that manipulation of the actuatingdevice results in a corresponding contraction or expansion of the clampbody, thereby exerting a uniform and controlled force on a tubularstructure held thereby.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Known clamp devices suitable for holding tubes or hoses aredescribed below and are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows a priorart clamp 10 comprising a curved resilient portion 12. Extending fromthe curved resilient portion 12 is a first post 14 with an unthreadedhole 22 located at the free end of first post 14. Also extending from anopposite end of the curved resilient portion 12 is a second post 16, andextending from the end of the second post 16 is a projection 18. Theprojection 18 has a threaded hole 24 coaxially aligned with and directlyopposed to the unthreaded hole 22 found at the free end of first post14. The clamp 10 also has a screw 20 having a head 26 and threaded shaft28. The shaft 28 of screw 20 is inserted through the unthreaded hole 22and then screwed into the threaded hole 24. As the screw 20 is tightenedinto hole 24, head 26 engages post 14 forcing the two posts 14 and 16together, thereby causing the curved resilient portion 12 to deflect insuch a manner that its radius will decrease. Deflection of the curvedresilient portion 12 will cause it to clamp down on any tubularstructure that it may hold. Likewise, when the screw 20 is loosened thecurved resilient portion 12, assuming that the aforementioned deflectionis elastic, will expand as the two posts 14 and 16 move away from eachother.

[0006]FIG. 2 shows a circular clamp 30 comprising a circular arc portion32 having a first end 34 and a second end 36. An unthreaded hole 40 isprovided in the first end 34 of the circular clamp 30, and a threadedhole 42, which is coaxially aligned with hole 40, is provided in thesecond end 36 of the circular clamp 30. Furthermore, the circular clamp30 also has a screw 38 having a threaded shaft 46 and a head 44. Theshaft 46 of screw 38 is first inserted through the unthreaded hole 40and then screwed into the threaded hole 42. As the screw 38 istightened, the head 44 engages the first end 34, thereby forcing thefirst and second ends 34 and 36 of the circular clamp 30 together. Thiscauses the circular arc portion 32 of the circular clamp 30 to contractradially and clamp down on any tubular structure that it may hold.Likewise, when the screw 38 is loosened, the circular arc portion 32will expand as the two ends 34 and 36 move away from each other.

[0007] While the two clamps illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be able tohold certain tubular structures, these clamps lack a mechanism forlimiting the amount of force they exert on such structures. Such aforce-limiting mechanism is an important feature that acts to preventunlimited generation of clamping forces, which can cause breakage,cracking, and/or buckling of brittle or pliable tubular structures. Theprior art clamps tighten down as the screw is tightened without anymeans for limiting the amount of contraction and force exerted by theclamp as a result of the screw being tightened. While these clamps maybe suited for strong tubular structures made from materials which cansustain relatively large clamping forces without buckling or breaking,such as steel or thick plastic, they are not suited for tubularstructures, such as those made of brittle materials such as glass, orpliable materials such as aluminum, which are delicate and can be easilycracked, broken or buckled if subjected to large clamping forces.

[0008] For example, syringe pumps, which are commonly used in laboratoryand medical instrumentation applications, include syringe mechanismshaving tubular barrels made from ground glass, a very delicate materialvulnerable to cracking when subjected to point contact forces. Clampsare placed on syringes as anti-rotation devices to prevent the syringesfrom unthreading and losing vacuum during cycling of the pumps andvibration of the instrument. Clamps without a force limiting mechanism,however, can cause delicate syringe barrels to crack or deform,resulting in broken barrels, leaks, and wasted material.

[0009] For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a clamp apparatuswhich evenly distributes the force it exerts on tubular structures andalso has a built-in load limitation mechanism, which enables it to holddelicate tubular structures in a snug fashion without causing breakageor cracking of the structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In accordance with the foregoing and other objects, the presentinvention provides a clamp that includes a spring arm, a deflection arm,a protrusion, and an actuating device, which is suitable for claspingtubular structures by uniformly distributing the load and also limitingthe amount of load exerted on the tubular structure. The spring armextends generally in an arc and has a first end and a second end. Theprotrusion projects from the spring arm proximate the second endthereof. The deflection arm is connected at a first end thereof to thefirst end of the spring arm and has a second end disposed in spacedrelation with respect to the protrusion. The deflection arm isconstructed and arranged such that relative movement of the protrusionand the second end of the deflection arm away from each other causes acorresponding circumferential contraction of the spring arm and relativemovement of the protrusion and the second end of the deflection armtoward each other causes a corresponding circumferential expansion ofthe spring arm. The actuating device is engaged with both the protrusionand the second end of the deflection arm and is constructed and arrangedto, upon manipulation thereof, effect relative movement of theprotrusion with respect to the second end of the deflection arm tothereby cause a corresponding circumferential contraction or expansionof the spring arm.

[0011] The invention also includes, according to another aspect thereof,a syringe pump assembly including a mechanized syringe and ananti-rotation clamp secured to the syringe and constructed and arrangedto prevent rotation of the syringe by contacting a structure adjacent tothe syringe. The syringe includes a barrel, a plunger disposed withinthe barrel for reciprocating movement therein, and a motor operativelycoupled to the plunger for effecting mechanized movement of the plunger.The clamp includes a clamp body and an actuating device. The clamp bodycomprises a spring arm extending generally in an arc and having a firstend and a second end, a protrusion projecting from the spring armproximate the second end thereof, and a deflection arm connected at afirst end thereof to the first end of the spring arm and having a secondend disposed in spaced relation with respect to the protrusion. Thedeflection arm is constructed and arranged such that relative movementof the protrusion and the second end of the deflection arm away fromeach other effects a corresponding circumferential contraction of thespring arm, and relative movement of the protrusion and the second endof the deflection arm toward each other effects a correspondingcircumferential expansion of the spring arm. The actuating device isengaged with the protrusion and the deflection arm and is constructedand arranged to, upon manipulation thereof, effect relative movement ofthe protrusion and the second end of the deflection arm with respect toeach other to thereby cause a corresponding circumferential contractionor expansion of the spring arm.

[0012] With these and other objects, advantages and features of theinvention that may become hereinafter apparent, the nature of theinvention may be more clearly understood by reference to the followingdetailed description of the invention, the appended claims, and thedrawings attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The invention will be described in detail with reference to thefollowing drawings, in which like features are represented by commonreference numbers and in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art clamp without a load limitationmechanism;

[0015]FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art circular clamp without a loadlimitation mechanism;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a clamp according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clamp according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a partial view showing an alternative embodiment of theclamp of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a syringe pump, for which thepresent invention can be employed as an anti-rotation device; and

[0020]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a clamp installed on a syringe ofa syringe pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] A clamp according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is generally indicated by reference number 50 in FIGS. 3 and4. The clamp 50 includes a clamp body 51 and a force limited actuatingdevice 76 operatively mounted on the clamp body 51 for selectivelytightening or loosening the clamp 50, as will be described in moredetail below.

[0022] The clamp body 51 has a spring arm 52, which extends generally inan arc and has a first end 54 and a second end 56 connected by anangular extent 53 of at least a portion of a full circle having asubstantially constant radius of curvature. The angular extent 53preferably has at least about 250 degrees of arc and must be less than360 degrees (and therefore has a gap between its ends) so that thespring arm 52 can be contracted. The actual angular extent will dependon the application for which the clamp will be used. In a preferredembodiment, extent 53 has a range of about 270-300 degrees of arc. Aprotrusion 58 is formed adjacent the second end 56 of the spring arm 52.

[0023] Clamp body 51 further includes a deflection arm 60 which extendspartially around an outer (i.e., convex) side of the spring arm 52 andhas a straight portion 70, a curved portion 68, a first end 62, andsecond end 64. In a preferred embodiment, the curved portion 68 of thedeflection arm has substantially the same curvature as the spring arm52, and the straight portion 70 is substantially parallel to animaginary line 94 connecting first end 54 of spring arm 52 to second end56 when the clamp body 51 is in a free, non-clamping state. The curvedportion 68 preferably has an extent of about 150 degrees +/−10-20degrees of arc.

[0024] The deflection arm 60 is co-joined at the first end 62 thereof tothe first end 54 of the spring arm 52, and is arranged so that thesecond end 64 of the deflection arm 60 is disposed in spaced relationwith respect to the protrusion 58. In addition, a ridge 66 may be formedon a bottom surface of the first end 62 of the deflection arm 60. Thepurpose of ridge 66 will be explained below in the context ofapplication of the clamp 50 on a syringe pump.

[0025] Because of the arrangement of the deflection arm 60 on the convexside of the spring arm 52, the configuration of the clamp body 51 issuch that one side of the clamp, i.e., the lower side below surface 59in the orientation in which the clamp is presented in FIG. 3, issubstantially devoid of structure. Therefore, the clamp can be installedon tubular structures that are adjacent to interfering structures thatwould otherwise inhibit use of a clamp, such as those shown in FIGS. 1and 2, which includes structure that would completely surround thetubular structure on which it is installed.

[0026] The clamp body 51 is preferably machined from a single piece ofextruded 6061 aluminum. Other materials are also contemplated, includingan injection molded nylon or polypropylene. The inner surface 55 of thespring arm 52 may be etched or coated with a rubber (e.g., EPDM) toincrease the friction between the inner surface 55 and the tubularstructure that is being clamped and to aid in evenly distributing theclamping force exerted by the clamp via spring arm 52 on a clampedtubular structure, especially where the tubular structure has or isexpected to have surface irregularities.

[0027] A threaded through hole 72 is provided in the second end 64 ofthe deflection arm 60. An unthreaded blind hole 74 or recess, is formedin the protrusion 58 that is opposed to and coaxially aligned with hole72, adjacent the second end 56 of the spring arm 52. In a preferredembodiment, holes 72 and 74 (engagement means) are arranged so that aline connecting them is substantially parallel to an imaginary axis line92 extending through the center of curvature 90 of the spring arm 52 andbisecting a gap between first and second ends 54, 56 of the spring arm52.

[0028] An actuating device (means) is generally indicated at referencenumber 76. In general, the actuating device 76 is a component of clamp50 engaged with both the protrusion 58 and the deflection arm 60 andconstructed and arranged to selectively effect relative movement of thesecond end 64 of the deflection arm 60 and the protrusion 58 toward oraway from each other. In the context of the present disclosure, theactuating device is engaged with the protrusion 58 or the deflection arm60 if it is in contact with, connected to, interlocked with, orotherwise cooperatively associated with the protrusion or the deflectionarm so as to be able to effect relative movement of the protrusion withrespect to the deflection arm. In the preferred embodiment, theactuating device 76 is a threaded rod engaged with the deflection arm 60near its second end 64 and the protrusion 58. Most preferably actuatingdevice 76 is a thumb screw 75 with a knurled head 78 and a shaft 80,where the radius of the head 78 is larger than the radius of thethreaded through hole 72. The shaft 80 includes an upper threadedportion 84 extending from head 78 and has at its lower end, anunthreaded bald tip 82. It is not required that tip 82 be unthreaded.

[0029] Unlike the prior art clamps, such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and2, in which a clamp-tightening screw is inserted first through anunthreaded hole and then into a threaded hole, in the clamp of thepresent invention, screw 75 is inserted first through the threaded hole72 formed in the second end 64 of the deflection arm 60. The threadedhole 72 guides the screw 75 until the tip 82 is seated in the hole 74formed in the protrusion 58. The radius of the unthreaded blind hole 74is greater than the radius of the tip 82, so that the tip 82 can enterthe unthreaded blind hole 74 and freely rotate as the screw 75 isscrewed into the threaded through hole 72.

[0030] The protrusion 58, spring arm 52, deflection arm 60, andactuating device 76 are constructed and arranged such that manipulationof the actuating device 76 will effect relative movement of theprotrusion 58 with respect to the second end 64 of the deflection arm 60which effects a corresponding circumferential contraction or expansionof the spring arm 52. Contraction in the spring arm 52 created by theactuating device 76 exerts a clamping force on an object, such as atubular structure held within its radius, that is generally equallydistributed via the inner surface 55 of the spring arm 52. The clamp 50also includes a load limitation mechanism that regulates the maximumamount of force exerted on a tubular structure by the clamp body 51, aswill be described in more detail below.

[0031] The length of the screw 75 is preferably such that when the tip82 is seated in the blind hole 74, and while the protrusion 58 and thesecond end 64 of the deflection arm 60 are in their normal, undeflectedpositions, the head 78 of screw 75 is not in contact with a top surface65 of the deflection arm 60. As the screw 75 is further rotated, thesecond end 64 of the deflection arm 60 advances with respect to thethreaded portion 84 of the shaft 80 toward the head 78, while engagementof the tip 82 with the blind hole 74 of the protrusion 58 preventsmovement of the protrusion 58 with respect to the screw shaft 80. Itwill be appreciated that the blind hole 74 could dispensed with in anembodiment of the clamp in which engagement of the tip 82 with theprotrusion 58 would prevent the movement of the protrusion 58 withrespect to the screw shaft 80. The relative movement of the second end64 and the protrusion 58 away from each other effects a circumferentialcontraction of the spring arm 52, thereby applying a clamping force ontoa tubular structure on which the clamp is installed. The clamping forcecan be released by reversing the rotational direction of the screw 75,thereby causing the second end 64 of the deflection arm to translatealong the shaft 80 away from the screw head 78 so as to permit thesecond end 64 and the protrusion 58 to move toward their normal,undeflected positions.

[0032] Unlike prior art clamps, such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,where the actuating device forces two portions of a clamp body togetherto cause contraction of the clamp, the present invention pushes theprotrusion 58 and the second end 64 of the deflection arm 60 away fromeach other in order to cause contraction of the clamp. As the protrusion58 and the second end 64 of the deflection arm 60 are moved relativelyaway from each other, there will be a corresponding circumferentialcontraction of the spring arm 52, which is connected at the first end 54thereof to the protrusion 58. Consequently, the circumferentialcontraction of the spring arm 52 reduces the inner radius of thecylindrically shaped spring arm 52 which then exerts a clamping force ona tubular structure.

[0033] Also unlike the prior art clamps, the actuating device 76 of theclamp 50, in cooperation with the clamp body 51, provides a mechanismfor limiting and controlling the amount of load the clamp 52 is able toexert on a tubular structure. As the screw 75 is turned and the secondend 64 of the deflection arm 60 advances up the shaft 80, the head 78 ofthe screw 75 comes into contact with the top surface 65 of thedeflection arm 60 proximate the second end 64. Consequently, the secondend 64 cannot be farther advanced up the shaft 80, and, as a result, theprotrusion 58 and the second end 64 of the deflection arm 60 cannot bemoved further away from each other. Thus, circumferential contraction ofthe spring arm 52, and the associated clamping force exerted thereby, islimited. Accordingly, the load limitation mechanism effects a limit onthe maximum amount of clamping force that can exerted on a tubularstructure by the clamp 50. As will be appreciated by persons of ordinaryskill in the art, the maximum amount of force that can be exerted by theclamp 50 can be adjusted depending on the length of the shaft 80 of thescrew 75.

[0034] The load limitation mechanism of the clamp 50 enables the clamp50 to be used to hold fragile or pliable tubular structures securelywithout causing breakage or buckling of the structure.

[0035] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the clampbody 51 can be modified by reversing the placement of the threadedthrough hole 72 and the unthreaded blind hole 74. That is, an unthreadedblind hole can be provided in the second end of the deflection arm 60,and a threaded through hole can be provided in the protrusion 58,adjacent the second end 56 of the spring arm 52. As with the preferredembodiment, the unthreaded blind hole is generally opposed to andcoaxially aligned with the threaded through hole.

[0036] To cause contraction of the spring arm 52 of this alternativearrangement, the screw 75 is inverted and inserted through the threadedthrough hole formed in the protrusion 58 and advanced until the tip 82of the screw 75 is seated in the blind hole formed near the second end64 of the deflection arm 60. Tightening of the clamp can thereafter beeffected by continuing to rotate the screw thereby causing theprotrusion 58 to advance with respect to the threaded portion of thescrew toward the screw head while engagement of the tip with thedeflection arm near the second end 64 thereof prevents movement of thedeflection arm 60 relative to the screw shaft. The correspondingrelative movement of the protrusion 58 and the second end 64 away fromeach other will result in the circumferential contraction of the springarm 52, and the spring arm 52 will exert an evenly distributed,controlled force on the tubular structure. Furthermore, the maximumamount of clamping load that can be exerted by the contracting springarm 52 will be limited when the head 78 of the screw 75 comes intocontact with a bottom surface 59 of the protrusion 58. The spring armcan be expanded, and the clamping force can be released, by merelyreversing the direction of the screw 75 to permit the protrusion 58 andthe second end 64 of the deflection arm 60 to move relatively towardeach other and elastically return to their original relative positions.

[0037] This alternative embodiment would not be desirable in anapplication in which the clamp is installed such that the bottom surface59 of the clamp body 51 abuts, or is closely adjacent to, a wall orother structure that would interfere with a screw head.

[0038] In another alternative embodiment of the present invention shownin FIG. 5, a nut and screw arrangement can be employed as the actuatingdevice 76, such that the clamp body 51 itself would not require anythreaded holes. A screw 75′, having a head 78′ and a shaft 80′ with athreaded portion 84′ and a tip portion 82′, is inserted through hole 72′formed near the second end 64 of the deflection arm 60, and the tip 82′is seated in the blind hole 74 formed in the protrusion 58. A nut 88 isrotated about the threaded shaft portion 84′, and the length of thescrew 75′ is such that the head 78′ does not initially contact the topsurface 65 proximate the second end 64 of the deflection arm 60 when thesecond end 64 and the protrusion 58 are in their normal, undeflectedpositions. The nut 88 is advanced up the threaded portion 84′ of theshaft 80′ until it contacts a bottom surface 67 proximate the second end64 of the deflection arm 60. Further rotation of the nut 88, whileholding the screw 75′ against rotation, will advance the nut 88 furtherup the shaft 80′ in the direction of the arrow toward the head 78′. Themovement of the nut 88 forces the second end 64 toward the head 78′,while engagement of the tip 82′ with the blind hole 74 prevents movementof the protrusion 58 with respect to the screw shaft 80′. This relativemovement of the second end 64 and the protrusion 58 away from each othereffects a circumferential contraction of the spring arm 52, therebyapplying a clamping force against a tubular structure on which the clampis installed. The clamping force can be released by reversing thedirection of the nut 88 so as to permit the second end 64 and theprotrusion 58 to move toward their normal, undeflected positions.

[0039] The alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 5 also includes a loadlimiting feature in that the nut 88 can only be advanced toward the head78′ until the top surface 65 of the deflection arm 60 contacts the head78′, thereby limiting the maximum clamping force that can be generated.

[0040] The alternative embodiment of FIG. 5 can be modified by providingscrew threads in the blind hole 74 in the protrusion 58 and by providingthreading on the screw shaft 80′ all the way to the tip 82′. The screw75′ can then be screwed tightly into the blind hole 74, so that thescrew 75′ will be secured against rotation as the nut 88 is rotated toadvance it toward the head 78′. Screw 75′ could also be secured by othermeans, such as, for example, welding or adhesive.

[0041]FIG. 6 show an exemplary syringe pump 200 of the type on which theclamp 50 of the present invention might be employed. Syringe pump 200includes a housing 202, a motor 204 contained within the housing 202, avalve assembly 206, a syringe 100 operatively coupled to the valveassembly 206, and a movable arm 208 operatively coupled to both themotor 204 and the syringe 100. The syringe 100 includes a glass barrel102, a plunger 104 disposed within the barrel 102, and a hub 106 with aprojecting nipple 108 (partially shown) which is threaded for connectingthe barrel 102 with the valve assembly 206. Pumping is effected bymovement of the plunger 104 by the movable arm 208 powered by the motor204. Exemplary syringe pumps on which the clamp of the present inventioncan be installed as an anti-rotation device include the model XP3000Modular Digital Pump available from Cavro Scientific Instruments, Inc.of San Jose, Calif., and the PSD/4 syringe pump, model 7858-04 availablefrom Hamilton Company of Reno, Nev.

[0042] As was explained briefly in the Background section above,repeated cycling of the plunger 104 during operation of the syringe pump200 and/or vibration of an instrument on which the syringe pump 200 isinstalled can cause the barrel 102 and/or the hub 106 to rotate, therebycausing the nipple 108 to be loosened with respect to the valve assembly106.

[0043]FIG. 7 shows an application of the clamp 50 according to thepresent invention whereby the clamp 50 is installed on a syringe 100 ofa syringe pump. Clamp 50 is secured to the syringe 100, preferable tothe hub 106, and the clamp 50, and more specifically ridge 66, contactsa surface 210 to prevent rotation of the syringe 100. Surface 210 may bean end wall of the housing 202 of the pump 200, some other component ofpump 200, or some other structure of the instrument on which the pump200 is installed that is adjacent to the syringe 100.

[0044] It can be appreciated from FIG. 7 that the arrangement of theclamp 50 allows it to be installed on a tubular structure, such assyringe 100, which is closely adjacent to a structure (e.g., surface210) which would otherwise preclude, or at least make very difficult,use of a conventional clamp, such as either of the clamps shown in FIGS.1 and 2.

[0045] While the invention has been described in connection with whatare presently considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to belimited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intendedto cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements includedwithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A clamp comprising: a clamp body comprising: aspring arm extending generally in an arc having a first end and a secondend; a protrusion projecting from said spring arm proximate said secondend thereof; and a deflection arm connected at a first end thereof tosaid first end of said spring arm and having a second end disposed inspaced relation with respect to said protrusion, said deflection armbeing constructed and arranged such that relative movement of saidprotrusion and said second end of said deflection arm away from eachother effects a corresponding circumferential contraction of said springarm and relative movement of said protrusion and said second end of saiddeflection arm toward each other effects a corresponding circumferentialexpansion of said spring arm; and an actuating device engaged with saidprotrusion and said deflection arm and constructed and arranged to, uponmanipulation thereof, effect relative movement of said protrusion andsaid second end of said deflection arm with respect to each other tothereby cause a corresponding circumferential contraction or expansionof said spring arm.
 2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said spring arm hasan angular extent of about 270-300 degrees between said first and secondends thereof.
 3. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said deflection armincludes a curved portion extending from said first end thereof to anintermediate position along said deflection arm and a straight portionextending from said intermediate position to said second end of saiddeflection arm.
 4. The clamp of claim 3, wherein said spring arm has asubstantially constant radius of curvature and said curved portion ofsaid deflection arm has substantially the same curvature as said springarm.
 5. The clamp of claim 3, wherein said straight portion of saiddeflection arm is substantially parallel to an imaginary line connectingsaid first and second ends of said spring arm.
 6. The clamp of claim 1,wherein said clamp body comprises a single, integral piece of material.7. The clamp of claim 6, wherein said material is selected from thegroup comprising: aluminum, nylon, and polypropylene.
 8. The clamp ofclaim 1, wherein said actuating device comprises a threaded rodextending between and engaged with said deflection arm, proximate saidsecond end thereof, and said protrusion.
 9. The clamp of claim 8,wherein said threaded rod extends through a first hole formed throughsaid deflection arm proximate said second end thereof.
 10. The clamp ofclaim 9, wherein said threaded rod comprises a screw having a head witha threaded shaft extending therefrom and a tip at an opposite end ofsaid threaded shaft from said head, and wherein said first hole isthreaded so as to be cooperable with said threaded shaft of said screw,wherein said screw has a length such that when said screw is insertedthrough said first hole and said tip of said screw is engaged with saidprotrusion, said head of said screw is not in contact with saiddeflection arm, and wherein rotation of said screw causes saiddeflection arm to travel along said threaded shaft toward said head ofsaid screw, while engagement of said screw tip with said protrusionprevents movement of said protrusion relative to said screw therebyeffecting said relative movement of said second end of said deflectionarm with respect to said protrusion.
 11. The clamp of claim 10, furthercomprising a blind hole formed in said protrusion within which said tipof said screw is seated when said tip of said screw is engaged with saidprotrusion.
 12. The clamp of claim 9, wherein said threaded rodcomprises a screw having a head with a threaded shaft extendingtherefrom and a tip at an opposite end of said threaded shaft from saidhead, and wherein said actuating device further comprises a nutthreadably cooperable with said threaded shaft of said screw, whereinsaid screw has a length such that when said screw is inserted throughsaid first hole and said tip of said screw is engaged with saidprotrusion, said head of said screw is not in contact with saiddeflection arm, and wherein rotation of said nut while in contact withsaid deflection arm causes said nut and said deflection arm to advancealong said threaded shaft toward said head, while engagement of saidscrew tip with said protrusion prevents movement of said protrusionrelative to said screw thereby effecting said relative movement of saidsecond end of said deflection arm with respect to said protrusion. 13.The clamp of claim 8, wherein said threaded rod is arranged such that itis substantially parallel to an imaginary axis extending through acenter of curvature of said spring arm and bisecting a gap between saidfirst and second ends of said spring arm.
 14. The clamp of claim 1,wherein said actuating device includes a load limitation featureconstructed and arranged to prevent the relative movement of said secondend of said deflection arm away from said protrusion from exceeding apredetermined amount to thereby limit the amount of correspondingcircumferential contraction.
 15. The clamp of claim 10, wherein saidactuating device includes a load limitation feature constructed andarranged to prevent the relative movement of said second end of saiddeflection arm away from said protrusion from exceeding a predeterminedamount to thereby limit the amount of corresponding circumferentialcontraction, said load limitation feature comprising the head of saidscrew which is constructed and arranged to contact said deflection armto limit the distance by which said deflection arm can advance alongsaid threaded shaft during rotation of said screw.
 16. A clampcomprising: a means for providing a clamping force comprising: a springarm means for contracting or expanding along an arc; and an actuatingmeans for controlling an amount of circumferential contraction of saidspring arm means to generate said clamping force.
 17. The claim of claim16, wherein said means for providing a clamping force further comprisesprojection means for allowing said actuating means to contract or expandsaid spring arm means.
 18. The clamp of claim 17, wherein said springarm means an angular extent of about 270-300 degrees.
 19. The clamp ofclaim 17, wherein said projection means comprises a deflection arm and aprojection, said deflection arm including a curved portion extendingfrom a first end thereof to an intermediate position and a straightportion extending from said intermediate position to said second endthereof; and wherein said deflection arm and said projection arearranged such that said actuating means contracts said spring arm bymoving said deflection arm and said projection away from each other. 20.The clamp of claim 19, wherein said spring arm means has a substantiallyconstant radius of curvature and said curved portion of said deflectionarm has substantially a same curvature as said spring arm means.
 21. Theclamp of claim 20, wherein said straight portion of said deflection armis substantially parallel to an imaginary line connecting first andsecond ends of said spring arm means.
 22. The clamp of claim 17, whereinsaid means for providing said clamping force comprises a single,integral piece of material.
 23. The clamp of claim 22, wherein saidmaterial is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, nylon, andpolypropylene.
 24. The clamp of claim 19, wherein said actuating meanscomprises a means for engaging with said deflection arm and saidprotrusion and for forcing said deflection arm and said protrusion awayfrom one another and for allowing said deflection arm and saidprotrusion to move toward one another, in order to respectively increaseor decrease said circumferential contraction of said spring arm means.25. The clamp of claim 24, wherein said spring arms generates a forcebetween said deflection arm and said protrusion opposing a force appliedby said actuating means.
 26. The clamp of claim 25, wherein saidactuating means comprises a threaded rod, said deflection arm comprisesa hole with which said threaded rod engages said deflection arm, andsaid protrusion includes an engagement means for accepting an end ofsaid threaded rod to allow said threaded rod to force said deflectionarm and said protrusion away from one another, or allow said deflectionarm and said protrusion to move toward one another, or
 27. The clamp ofclaim 17, wherein said actuating means includes a load limitation meansfor preventing the relative movement of said deflection arm away fromsaid protrusion from exceeding a predetermined amount to thereby limitthe amount of corresponding circumferential contraction.
 28. The clampof claim 27, wherein said actuating means includes a load limitationmeans for preventing the relative movement of said deflection arm awayfrom said protrusion from exceeding a predetermined amount to therebylimit the amount of corresponding circumferential contraction.
 29. Asyringe pump assembly comprising: a mechanized syringe including abarrel, a plunger disposed within said barrel for reciprocating movementtherein, and a motor operatively coupled to said plunger for effectingmechanized movement of said plunger; and an anti-rotation clamp securedto said syringe and constructed and arranged to prevent rotation of saidsyringe by contacting a structure adjacent to said syringe, saidanti-rotation clamp comprising: a clamp body comprising: a spring armextending generally in an arc having a first end and a second end; aprotrusion projecting from said spring arm proximate said second endthereof; and a deflection arm connected at a first end thereof to saidfirst end of said spring arm and having a second end disposed in spacedrelation with respect to said protrusion, said deflection arm beingconstructed and arranged such that relative movement of said protrusionand said second end of said deflection arm away from each other effectsa corresponding circumferential contraction of said spring arm andrelative movement of said protrusion and said second end of saiddeflection arm toward each other effects a corresponding circumferentialexpansion of said spring arm; and an actuating device engaged with saidprotrusion and said deflection arm and constructed and arranged to, uponmanipulation thereof, effect relative movement of said protrusion andsaid second end of said deflection arm with respect to each other tothereby cause a corresponding circumferential contraction or expansionof said spring arm.
 30. The syringe pump assembly of claim 29, whereinsaid spring arm has an angular extent of about 270-300 degrees betweensaid first and second ends thereof.
 31. The syringe pump assembly ofclaim 29, wherein said deflection arm includes a curved portionextending from said first end thereof to an intermediate position alongsaid deflection arm and a straight portion extending from saidintermediate position to said second end of said deflection arm.
 32. Thesyringe pump assembly of claim 29, wherein said clamp body comprises asingle, integral piece of material.
 33. The syringe pump assembly ofclaim 32, wherein said material is selected from the group comprising:aluminum, nylon, and polypropylene.
 34. The syringe pump assembly ofclaim 29, wherein said actuating device comprises a threaded rodextending between and engaged with said deflection arm, proximate saidsecond end thereof, and said protrusion.
 35. The syringe pump assemblyof claim 34, wherein said threaded rod extends through a first holeformed through said deflection arm proximate said second end thereof.36. The syringe pump assembly of claim 34, wherein said threaded rodcomprises a screw having a head with a threaded shaft extendingtherefrom and a tip at an opposite end of said threaded shaft from saidhead, and wherein said first hole is threaded so as to be cooperablewith said threaded shaft of said screw, wherein said screw has a lengthsuch that when said screw is inserted through said first hole and saidtip of said screw is engaged with said protrusion, said head of saidscrew is not in contact with said deflection arm, and wherein rotationof said screw causes said deflection arm to travel along said threadedshaft toward said head of said screw, while engagement of said screw tipwith said protrusion prevents movement of said protrusion relative tosaid screw thereby effecting said relative movement of said second endof said deflection arm with respect to said protrusion.
 37. The syringepump assembly of claim 36, further comprising a blind hole formed insaid protrusion within which said tip of said screw is seated when saidtip of said screw is engaged with said protrusion.
 38. The syringe pumpassembly of claim 29, wherein said actuating device includes a loadlimitation feature constructed and arranged to prevent the relativemovement of said second end of said deflection arm away from saidprotrusion from exceeding a predetermined amount to thereby limit theamount of corresponding circumferential contraction.
 39. The syringepump assembly of claim 36, wherein said actuating device includes a loadlimitation feature constructed and arranged to prevent the relativemovement of said second end of said deflection arm away from saidprotrusion from exceeding a predetermined amount to thereby limit theamount of corresponding circumferential contraction, said loadlimitation feature comprising the head of said screw which isconstructed and arranged to contact said deflection arm to limit thedistance by which said deflection arm can advance along said threadedshaft during rotation of said screw.